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Description

Who We Are:   

The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s mission is to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. The Animal Legal Defense Fund accomplishes this mission by filing high-impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm, providing free legal assistance and training to prosecutors to assure that animal abusers are held accountable for their crimes, supporting tough animal protection legislation and fighting legislation harmful to animals, advocating for strong enforcement of regulations that protect animals and appropriate regulation of industries that impact them, and providing resources and opportunities to law students and professionals to advance the emerging field of animal law.

Role Description:  

As the HR Director, you will lead the Human Resources function at ALDF, ensuring that our teams are supported through HR programs, that our culture allows team members to thrive, and that our organization is compliant with regulations. You will design, develop, and oversee Initiatives, policies, and procedures; and you will craft and build processes and programs that enhance the full employee experience lifecycle. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker with a hands-on approach, ready to support both the everyday needs of our staff to further ALDF’s mission, live our values, and achieve our vision by fulfilling our strategic priorities. 

How You Will Make a Difference:  

Strategy and Leadership  

• Develop and execute an HR function strategic plan to implement initiatives, policies and procedures in alignment with the organization’s strategic plan. 
• Serve as a member of the Leadership Team and collaborate to ensure the HR function is serving as a strategic business partner to all functions.
• Build strong partnerships and develop a visible HR presence that fosters proactive engagement with the department and confidence in HR’s service delivery.
• Champion the organization’s core values and an inclusive culture, and with the partnership of leadership, build and nurture programs that meet these imperatives. Develop methods for measuring and improving the employee experience. 
• Maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new tech across HR topics to inform recommendations and strategy. 
• Serve as an inspiring, inclusive, and enabling people leader to HR staff. Coach, guide, and mentor the HR team to help them meet their goals. 

Talent Management  

• Develop and oversee talent development systems, including the performance appraisal process, career pathing, and performance management.
• Identify talent acquisition needs, develop and implement programs to improve hiring and onboarding processes, while bolstering the ALDF talent pipeline and brand. Develop sourcing strategies for attracting a talented diverse candidate pool. 
• Design and continuously update a professional development program to cultivate and retain ALDF’s existing team members. 

Compliance and Human Resources Operations   

• Ensure compliance and appropriate implementation of ALDF’s Collective Bargaining Agreement and other deliverables related to labor relations. 
• Establish and maintain HR policies, processes, training, and initiatives that support compliance and strategy needs. 
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, regulations, and best practices; proactively review, create, and update policies and practices accordingly in an ongoing and timely fashion, and ensure compliance for maintenance and reporting requirements. 
• Develop and implement the HR departmental budget. Partner with Finance on staffing budgets across ALDF. Assist the senior leadership team with the annual overall personnel budget. 

Employee Experience   

• Assess ALDF’s benefit offerings and make recommendations on ALDF’s benefits selection and total rewards strategy to help ensure the organization’s ongoing ability to attract and retain top talent, while balancing cost controls against budgets. 
• Provide timely and accurate administration of HR programs including compensation, benefits, leave, dispute resolution, investigations, performance and talent management, recognition, employee engagement, and training and development. 
• Address and oversee appropriate, respectful handling of all sensitive or confidential employee relations issues, such as complaints, disciplinary actions, and separations, as necessary. 
• Perform other duties as required. 

Requirements

We Are Looking for Candidates With:  

• A bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field. In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, 5 years of progressive experience in human resources is required. A master’s degree is preferred. In lieu of a master’s degree, 12 years of progressive responsibility in human resources is required.
• At least 7 years of broad HR experience in various roles with progressive responsibility including employee relations, talent acquisition, development and management, compensation and benefits.
• 3 years in a formal people leadership role, with a track record of modeling inclusive leadership. 
• 3 or more years of labor relations experience is strongly preferred. 
• 3 or more years of nonprofit human resources experience is strongly preferred. 
• Current HR certification (SPHR or SHRM-SCP) preferred. 
• Thorough knowledge of U.S. federal and state employment laws and regulations, particularly California employment law. 
• An understanding of and demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
• A collaborative partnership and solutions-oriented mindset. 
• A strong understanding of, experience with, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong listening skills. 
• Experience with basic software applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel and internet browsers, in addition to cloud based HRIS systems like Paylocity.
• Exceptional interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with others in a team-oriented work environment. Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and members of your team.
• The ability to implement vision, think strategically, creatively problem solve, and exercise good judgment and self-control.
• A commitment to working with integrity. 
• The ability to travel periodically for staff meetings and retreats (estimated 1-3 trips annually). 

We Offer Competitive Compensation with Excellent Benefits, Including:  

• Starting annual salary of $153,094 for most geographic locations.
• For candidates located within 25 miles of Washington D.C., Cotati, CA, and Los Angeles, starting pay is $161,152.
• For candidates located within 25 miles of New York City and San Francisco, starting pay is $169,209.

To ensure salary equity, we do not negotiate salary outside of the published starting rate. Rate is determined by role, using set geographical factors. 

• Comprehensive health care, dental, life, and vision benefits (100% employer paid); Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA) are also available.
• 192 hours of PTO. 
• 19 paid holidays. 
• 1-month paid sabbatical after 5 years of continuous employment.
• 401k plan with a 5% employer contribution after one year of employment. 
• 16 weeks paid parental leave. 
• Alternative work schedules (at manager’s discretion). 

Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is a core value for the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

The application deadline for this position is September 1, 2025.

Additional information:   

This is a U.S. based position. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is an equal opportunity employer and committed to providing an employment environment which is welcoming of persons from diverse backgrounds and free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and in which all legal rights of our employees are recognized and protected. ALDF conducts all internal and external operations, programs, and employment-related decision making (including hiring decisions) without regard to actual or perceived race, ancestry, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, political affiliation, disability or medical condition (including physical, intellectual, or psychiatric), sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, age, or other protected category, and in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws.

Consistent with the organization’s mission, our offices and events are free of animal products and byproducts.

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